The Opportunities and Challenges of International

Scientific/Educational Exchanges:

A few examples from U of Minn – Norway exchanges in

biotechnology

Exchange Overview

• U of M has exchange agreements with several Norwegian Univ

• Multiple U of M colleges involved• Multiple levels – student, post-doc,

faculty/researchers• Student numbers, to and from Norway,

still small in all categories• Research exchanges beyond existing

formal agreements

Research “Exchanges” and Lessons

• Current examples– NTNU/SINTEF Biotech Inst/CBS, UM– AKVAFORSK/NIFES, Ås CBS/Med, UM– Norway Ministry of Health State of Mn

• Developing examples– Ag Univ of Norway, Ås IREE/Ag, UM

NTNU/SINTEF BTI/CBS,UM

• Began 2000• Applied biotech research• Bioproduction of lysine from methanol• Norwegian Research Council funded• Planned student/post doc exchange• Challenges for proprietary

ownership/institutional differences

AKVAFORSK/NIFES,Ås CBS/Med

• Began formally 2004• Built on earlier grad student exchange

and interactions at scientific meeting in Norway

• Basic research with potential application• Norwegian Research Council funded• UM contribution: consultation, training

venue

Norway Health Ministry MN State

• Began 1998• Minnesota companies have clinical trials

in Norway• Built on biomed device strengths, need

for patient base• Up to three companies/products now on

market• Basis for new initiative in neurobiology

area (MedEdge Conf 2004)

Ag Univ of Norway, Ås IREE/Ag,UM• Began 2004• Project part of The Norwegian Research & Technology

Forum in the U.S. / Canada: The Environmental Impact of Agriculture and Energy Use – 2003,2004 workshops

• Basic/applied research on: Microwave Pyrolysis – Biomass Conversion and Waste Treatment for the Future

• Builds on research strengths in both institutions• Will involve faculty and, perhaps, grad student

exchanges• Overall vision: Catalyze the formation of “dream teams”

who will conduct breakthrough research to provide sustainable solutions within biomass/bioenergy and functional genomics

Lessons/Directions

• Build on mutual scientific strengths and research interests

• Look for areas with applied potential• Cooperate on funding/in-kind support• Include student component, e.g. grad

students• Deal up front with “institutional”

differences, e.g. intellectual property